Mark Whitehead 16 February 2024

Sharp increase in home schooling, survey shows

Sharp increase in home schooling, survey shows image
Image: goodluz/Shutterstock.com.

A survey of councils in the south of England shows a sharp rise in the number of children being educated at home.

Some parents said schools could not cater for their children's needs.

The data came from 15 councils in Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire for the years 2013-2023.

The highest number of home-schooled children was reported by Hampshire County Council, up from 623 to 3,593.

Dorset Council reported a rise from 15 to 285 children, Oxfordshire County Council's figures rose from 177 to 522 and Wiltshire Council saw an increase from 228 to 952.

Only Bracknell Forest Council reported a fall, from 91 children in 2021 to 87 in 2023.

One parent said: 'I believe that the school system is very much a cookie cutter approach and unfortunately our daughter didn't sit within the cookie cutter shape.'

Another said: 'I think some people, probably for similar reasons to me, want to spend more time with their children. But also the school system, I think, is really struggling to cater for the needs of lots of children.'

Mac Heath, co-chair of the Association of Directors of Children's Services South East region, acknowledged that home education was rising.

But he added: 'I would really urge that if we're ensuring that our children get the best opportunity to thrive, both socially, academically, that we continue to recognise that for most of our children schools are the best place for them.'

A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We support the right of parents to educate their children at home but all children should receive a suitable education regardless of where they are educated.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Youth Support Worker in Training

Essex County Council
£25580.00 - £26924.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & local Gov Pension
Youth Support Worker in TrainingPermanent, Full Time£25,580 to £26,924 per annum plus an Outer Fringe allowance of £954 paLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support WorkerPermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Director – Public Health (Partnerships & Commissioning)

Leicestershire County Council
£98,673 - £111,60
You will report to our Director of Public Health who is a chief officer of the council reporting to the Chief Executive Leicestershire
Recuriter: Leicestershire County Council

District Youth & Community Worker in Training

Essex County Council
£29606.00 - £36837.00 per annum + Per Annum
District Youth & Community Worker in TrainingPermanent, Full TimeFrom £29,606 to £36,837 per annum depending on experience, plus an Outer Fringe allow England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Youth Worker (South and Vale)

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £40777
Are you passionate about making a diffe... Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner